Patents by Inventor Qiliang Xu
Qiliang Xu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 12130975Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having a hidden or concealable input region. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having a wall that defines an input region having an array of microperforations. A light source may be positioned within a volume defined by the enclosure and configured to propagate light through the array of microperforations. A sensing element may be coupled with the wall and configured to detect input received within the input region. The array of microperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of microperforations may display a symbol.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Richard G. Huizar
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Publication number: 20240227134Abstract: A wrench comprises a handle, a tube, an actuating-part and a scale mark area; the handle comprises a hollow rotation handle, a movable plug, a screw rod drive component and a locking component, an end of the hollow rotation handle engages with a tail end portion of the scale mark area by rotation, the screw rod drive component comprises a rotary portion and a screw rod portion, and an adjusting threaded-sleeve is sleeved over the screw rod portion; a tube positioning piece engaging with the rotary portion by rotation is provided on the rotary portion; the locking component comprises a handle insert and positioning pins, the handle insert is installed on the rotary portion via a key and an outer surface of the handle insert is connected with an inner surface of the hollow rotation handle, and positioning pins are provided at a front end portion of the movable plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: July 11, 2024Inventors: Jun SHAO, Liang HUA, Linwei XUE, Qiliang XU
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Patent number: 11972062Abstract: A keyboard may be provided that has keys overlapped by a touch sensor. The keyboard may have key sensor circuitry for monitoring switching in the keys for key press input. The keyboard may also have touch sensor circuitry such as capacitive touch sensor circuitry that monitors capacitive electrodes in the touch sensor for touch sensor input such as multitouch gesture input. The keyboard may include an outer layer of fabric that overlaps the keys. The fabric may have openings that are arranged to form alphanumeric characters. Light sources may emit light that passes through the openings and illuminates the alphanumeric characters. The touch sensor may have signal lines that are not visible through the openings. The signal lines may be transparent, may be covered by a diffuser, or may circumvent the openings so that they do not overlap.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2022Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Paul Xiaopeng Wang, Chia Chi Wu, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Daniel D. Sunshine, Aidan N. Zimmerman
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Publication number: 20240131663Abstract: A wrench comprises a handle, a tube, an actuating-part and a scale mark area; the handle comprises a hollow rotation handle, a movable plug, a screw rod drive component and a locking component, an end of the hollow rotation handle engages with a tail end portion of the scale mark area by rotation, the screw rod drive component comprises a rotary portion and a screw rod portion, and an adjusting threaded-sleeve is sleeved over the screw rod portion; a tube positioning piece engaging with the rotary portion by rotation is provided on the rotary portion; the locking component comprises a handle insert and positioning pins, the handle insert is installed on the rotary portion via a key and an outer surface of the handle insert is connected with an inner surface of the hollow rotation handle, and positioning pins are provided at a front end portion of the movable plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Jun SHAO, Liang HUA, Linwei XUE, Qiliang XU
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Publication number: 20230409151Abstract: An electronic device such as a speaker device may have a curved housing characterized by a vertical longitudinal axis. A layer of fabric may cover the curved housing. A touch sensor may be used to detect touch input on the layer of fabric. The touch sensor may include capacitive touch sensor electrodes including drive lines and sense lines. In some arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive strands in the layer of fabric. In other arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive traces on a substrate. The substrate may be formed from portions of the curved housing or may be formed from a layer that is separate from the housing. Light-emitting components and/or fabric with different visual characteristics may be used to mark where the touch-sensitive regions of the fabric are located. The touch-sensitive regions may be shaped as media control symbols.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Zhengyu Li, Elvis M. Kibiti, Ming Gao, Qiliang Xu, Chen Zhang
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Publication number: 20230341958Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having a hidden or concealable input region. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having a wall that defines an input region having an array of microperforations. A light source may be positioned within a volume defined by the enclosure and configured to propagate light through the array of microperforations. A sensing element may be coupled with the wall and configured to detect input received within the input region. The array of microperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of microperforations may display a symbol.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Richard G. Huizar
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Patent number: 11762512Abstract: An electronic device such as a speaker device may have a curved housing characterized by a vertical longitudinal axis. A layer of fabric may cover the curved housing. A touch sensor may be used to detect touch input on the layer of fabric. The touch sensor may include capacitive touch sensor electrodes including drive lines and sense lines. In some arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive strands in the layer of fabric. In other arrangements, the touch sensor is formed from conductive traces on a substrate. The substrate may be formed from portions of the curved housing or may be formed from a layer that is separate from the housing. Light-emitting components and/or fabric with different visual characteristics may be used to mark where the touch-sensitive regions of the fabric are located. The touch-sensitive regions may be shaped as media control symbols.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Zhengyu Li, Elvis M. Kibiti, Ming Gao, Qiliang Xu, Chen Zhang
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Publication number: 20230284821Abstract: A brewing system comprises a grinder, a brewer, a capsule holder, and a controller. The grinder is configured to grind whole coffee beans into coffee grounds with adjustable coarseness. The grinder is configured to receive the whole coffee beans through a first opening above the grinder and dispense the coffee grounds through a second opening below the grinder. The brewer is configured to dispense water for brewing coffee through a third opening below the brewer, wherein the brewer is positioned laterally relative to the grinder. The capsule dock is configured to (a) hold a capsule containing a coffee filter and (b) translate the capsule from a first position under the second opening of the grinder to a second position under the third opening below the brewer. The controller is configured to control the grinder, brewer, and capsule dock.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Rui Zhou
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Publication number: 20230284820Abstract: A single-serving coffee pod includes: a hollow capsule having an opening at a first end thereof and at least one smaller opening in a second end thereof opposite the first end; a filter disposed within the capsule; a plurality of whole coffee beans located within the capsule; and a removable covering disposed over the opening of the capsule.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Rui Zhou
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Publication number: 20230284815Abstract: A dock system configured to hold and translate a capsule containing coffee grounds during a brewing process. The dock system comprises a capsule dock configured to receive and hold the capsule, a linear positioning stage configured to translate the capsule dock, and a mount configured for mounting the linear positioning stage inside a housing of a coffee brewer. The dock system further comprises a controller configured to cause the linear positioning stage (a) to move the capsule dock to a first position underneath a grinder of the coffee brewer before and during a grinding operation and (b) to move the capsule dock to a second position underneath a water dispenser of the coffee brewer before and during a water-dispensing operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Rui Zhou
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Publication number: 20230284818Abstract: A grinder for grinding whole coffee beans into coffee grounds with automatically adjustable coarseness. The grinder comprise a burr assembly for grinding whole coffee beans, which comprises an inner burr having a side surface that is slanted and abrasive or serrated, and an outer burr surrounding the inner burr. The side surface of the inner burr and the outer burr define a gap. The grinder comprise a main motor configured to provide a first rotational movement to the inner burr. A second motor is configured to adjust a vertical position of the inner burr relative to the outer burr, wherein changes in the vertical position of the inner burr relative to the outer burr changes the gap between the inner burr and the outer burr. A coarseness of the coffee grounds depends on the gap between the inner burr and the outer burr.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Rui Zhou
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Publication number: 20230285997Abstract: A brewer includes: a nozzle configured to dispense a stream of water downward; a holder configured to hold a container for coffee grinds or tea below the nozzle to receive the stream of water; a first electrode disposed adjacent to the stream of water dispensed by the nozzle; a voltage source electrically coupled to the first electrode through an electrical circuit and configured to apply a voltage to the first electrode; and a controller communicatively coupled to the electrical circuit and configured to control a magnitude of the voltage applied to the first electrode from the voltage source. Varying the magnitude of the voltage applied to the first electrode generates an electrical field that changes a distance of the stream of water from the first electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2022Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Qiliang Xu, Rui Zhou
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Patent number: 11755128Abstract: A stylus input device can allow a user to interface with an external electronic device. The stylus can provide an additional or alternative input to the external electronic device in response to a user applying a compressive force to the device housing. The stylus can include multiple sensors to provide a signal in response to the compressive force applied to the stylus.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Blake R. Marshall, Nathaniel M. Parnell, Wesley W. Zuber, Henry N. Tsao, Xiaofan Niu, Pavan Gupta, Nahid Harjee, Paul X. Wang, Brenton A. Baugh
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Patent number: 11740717Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an electronic device having a hidden or concealable input region. In one aspect, an embodiment includes an enclosure having a wall that defines an input region having an array of microperforations. A light source may be positioned within a volume defined by the enclosure and configured to propagate light through the array of microperforations. A sensing element may be coupled with the wall and configured to detect input received within the input region. The array of microperforations are configured to be visually imperceptible when not illuminated by the light source. When illuminated by the light source, the array of microperforations may display a symbol.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Alex J. Lehmann, Qiliang Xu, Richard G. Huizar
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Publication number: 20230195265Abstract: Input devices can employ ultrasonic touch sensing capabilities that allow user inputs to be detected through conductive materials, such as metal enclosures. The ultrasonic touch sensing can include generation of ultrasound signals with a piezoelectric layer. The ultrasound signals can be reflected when a user or other object is in contact with a housing, and the reflected signal can be detected by the same piezoelectric layer that produced the ultrasound signal. Such a piezoelectric layer can include a piezoelectric polymer, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). An array of electrodes distributed on opposing sides of the use of electric layer can be operated to generate ultrasound signals and detect reflected signals. Such an input device can be operated in conjunction with a conductive (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Qiliang XU, Ming YU, Xiaonan WEN, Ehsan KHAJEH, Jason S. GRIESBACH, Brian M. KING
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Patent number: 11586153Abstract: Watch bands described herein include electrochromic features that provide adjustable color control based on an applied voltage to offer a variety of colors and color combinations to be displayed by a single band. The user or a control system can control, select, and/or adjust one or more colors of the watch band for visual display. Accordingly, a variety of colors can be displayed at different times without requiring different watch bands for each color or color combination. The color changing features can be used as a visual output of information from the watch to the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2018Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Zhengyu Li, Chia Chi Wu, Chen Zhang, Qiliang Xu
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Publication number: 20230018184Abstract: A force input/haptic output interface for an electronic device can include a force input sensor and a haptic actuator. In one example, the force input sensor and the haptic actuator are accommodated on a frame positioned below an input surface. In many examples, the frame includes relieved portions that redirect and/or concentrate compression or tension in the haptic actuator into the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Robert Y. Cao, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Qiliang Xu, Paul X. Wang, Robert J. Lockwood
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Publication number: 20230015526Abstract: An input device for an electronic device includes an enclosure and a top member defining an input surface having multiple differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a first force sensing system associated with a first area of the top member and including a first group of the differentiated input regions, and a second force sensing system associated with a second area of the top member and including a second group of the differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a touch sensing system configured to determine which input region from the first group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the first force input and to determine which input region from the second group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the second force input.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Chang Zhang, Dayu Qu, Kenneth M. Silz, Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Scott J. McEuen, Reza Nasiri Mahalati
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Patent number: 11500538Abstract: An input device for an electronic device includes an enclosure and a top member defining an input surface having multiple differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a first force sensing system associated with a first area of the top member and including a first group of the differentiated input regions, and a second force sensing system associated with a second area of the top member and including a second group of the differentiated input regions. The input device further includes a touch sensing system configured to determine which input region from the first group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the first force input and to determine which input region from the second group of the differentiated input regions corresponds to the second force input.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2017Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Chang Zhang, Dayu Qu, Kenneth M. Silz, Paul X. Wang, Qiliang Xu, Zheng Gao, Scott J. McEuen, Reza Nasiri Mahalati
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Patent number: 11487362Abstract: A force input/haptic output interface for an electronic device can include a force input sensor and a haptic actuator. In one example, the force input sensor and the haptic actuator are accommodated on a frame positioned below an input surface. In many examples, the frame includes relieved portions that redirect and/or concentrate compression or tension in the haptic actuator into the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alex J. Lehmann, Robert Y. Cao, Dinesh C. Mathew, Mikael M. Silvanto, Qiliang Xu, Paul X. Wang, Robert J. Lockwood